Dearest Sister

Dearest Sister

Year: 2016

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: Lao

Director: Mattie Do

DramaHorror

A village girl travels to the Lao capital, Vientiane, to care for her rich cousin who has lost her sight and gained the ability to communicate with the dead.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Dearest Sister yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Dearest Sister (2016)

Trace every key event in Dearest Sister (2016) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Nok arrives in Vientiane to care for Ana

Naive village girl Nok travels to Vientiane to look after her cousin Ana, who has fallen ill. Ana's illness brings blurred vision and the uncanny ability to see the recently dead, setting the story in motion. Nok enters a world of secrets and shifting loyalties as she becomes entangled in Ana's life.

early Vientiane, Laos
2

Jakob arrives and the numbers become money

Jakob arrives with a request that Nok accompany Ana, who is tormented by visions pulling her into danger. In moments when Ana recites numbers she cannot remember, Nok discovers a way to turn those numbers into lottery picks. The possibility of money begins to complicate their fragile bond.

soon after Vientiane
3

First lottery win and a new phone

Nok uses Ana's visions to secure a lottery victory, marking the start of tangible change. The winnings bring a new phone and a shared glimmer of possibility between the two women. The win also deepens Nok's sense of power and risk within their relationship.

early Ana's household, Vientiane
4

Second vision, another win, and theft by servants

Another vision follows a stroke suffered by the mother of a supermarket vendor, and Nok triumphs again. This time, however, Ana's servants steal the winnings and threaten to expose Nok's supposed theft to Ana. The betrayal strains the bond and sows distrust between Nok and Ana.

days later Ana's household, Vientiane
5

Nok admits spending and drives a wedge

Nok is confronted with the consequences of spending the winnings, and she admits to keeping the money for herself. The lie widens the rift between them as Ana discovers the truth but struggles to reconcile it with her prior trust. The once-symbiotic dynamic begins to fracture into resentment.

soon after Ana's household, Vientiane
6

Ana foresees her mother’s death

Ana experiences a vision of her mother’s death and collapses while chanting numbers. A call to her mother reveals nothing, yet the mother dies hours later in a hit-and-run accident. The family reels as the ominous visions start to align with real tragedy.

shortly after Ana's household, Vientiane
7

Ana’s father suspects the numbers and Nok stays silent

Ana’s father quickly connects the numbers to the lottery, pressing for explanations. Nok, driven by fear and desire, withholds the correct information and pockets that second wave of winnings. The family’s trust continues to deteriorate as truth remains buried.

soon after Ana's household, Vientiane
8

Ana travels to Thailand for vision correction

Seeking to correct Ana’s visions, the two women travel to Thailand for an operation. The trip strips them of some control and exposes fractures in their already tense relationship. The search for relief quickly collides with new pressures and looming consequences.

during the Thailand trip Bangkok, Thailand
9

Chaos at home while they are away

While Ana and Nok are abroad, the household descends into chaos as the servants throw a drunken revelry that wrecks the house. Upon their return, Ana and Jakob fire the servants. Jakob's failing business folds into the mounting strain on Ana, leaving Nok to navigate care alone.

after Thailand trip Ana's household, Vientiane
10

Nok refuses care and the washroom attack begins

Back home, Nok refuses to tend to Ana, even starving her and rearranging furniture so she cannot move. Ana steals Nok’s cellphone and locks her in the washroom, calling Jakob for help while Nok overhears a troubling vision of Jakob appearing and vanishing. The power balance in the house shifts toward desperation and fear.

night of the lock-in Ana's household, Vientiane
11

Jakob’s rescue attempt turns deadly

Jakob arrives to rescue Ana but is beaten by loyalist servants who have returned to loot what remains. They lock Ana and a dying Jakob in the washroom with Nok, trapping all three in a tense standstill. The cramped space becomes a crucible for raw fear and fragile loyalties.

hours later Ana's household, Vientiane
12

Hours pass as tensions boil over

As time drags on, Nok vents about how Ana supposedly treated her, while Ana insists she was always kind. The versions of their past collide, revealing how miscommunication and longing for control have driven them apart. The air in the washroom thickens with accusation and despair.

in the hours that follow Washroom, Ana's household, Vientiane
13

Final revelation: the haunting word Nothing

Bandages are removed or the moment comes when truth and fate converge. Nok seizes a knife, questions what Ana is looking at, and Ana lifts a blade in return, answering in a single, haunting word: Nothing. The scene seals their doomed partnership and the sense that the visions have dictated an irreversible end.

final moment Washroom, Ana's household, Vientiane

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 06:46

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Gifted with a curse: Supernatural horror dramas like Dearest Sister

Stories where a supernatural ability brings moral decay and isolation.If you liked the dark exploration of a supernatural ability in Dearest Sister, this list features movies with a similar theme. Find other horror and drama films where characters are burdened by a gift that leads to greed, psychological tension, and ultimately, a tragic downfall.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically centers on a character who gains an unwanted supernatural ability, which initially seems like a boon but quickly becomes a curse. As they or those around them seek to exploit this power—often for wealth or influence—the story delves into themes of greed, betrayal, and the disintegration of trust, culminating in a bleak and isolating conclusion.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core focus on the psychological and moral consequences of a supernatural ability. They create a tense, oppressive atmosphere by showing how such a gift corrupts relationships and leads to a heavy, often tragic, emotional journey for the characters involved.

Pressure cooker psychological thrillers like Dearest Sister

Tense stories where a confined setting amplifies psychological manipulation and dread.For viewers who appreciated the claustrophobic tension and psychological drama within a single house in Dearest Sister. These movies feature similar confined settings where characters are trapped together, leading to relentless manipulation, escalating dread, and a heavy, bleak conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative is defined by its limited setting, which physically and emotionally traps the characters. Power dynamics shift dramatically within this space, often starting with a seemingly simple caregiver or familial relationship that devolves into a battle of manipulation and control. The steady pacing allows the tension to mount relentlessly, leading to an explosive and typically bleak resolution.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they masterfully use a confined setting to create an intense, anxious, and claustrophobic atmosphere. They share a focus on psychological manipulation between a small number of characters, a steady build of dread, and a high-stakes, emotionally heavy payoff.

Unlock the Full Story of Dearest Sister

Don't stop at just watching — explore Dearest Sister in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Dearest Sister is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Dearest Sister Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Dearest Sister, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Dearest Sister Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Dearest Sister

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Dearest Sister. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Dearest Sister

Dearest Sister Spoiler-Free Summary

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Dearest Sister Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Dearest Sister

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